What are the stages of development of Coptic Catechism through the ages?

It is worth laying out the circumstances through which the Coptic Church has endured, from her foundation till the present day, that we may grasp the truth of her teachings, and benefit from her long experience over twenty centuries.

Our Coptic Church has continuously faced persecution since the middle of the first century and until the present time. Thus, Mrs. Butcher, a Professor of History at Oxford University, expressed her amazement when she stated that the endurance of the Copts to this day is one of the wonders of the world.

In the eighth century B. C., Isaiah the prophet anticipated the Coptic Church and wrote with the spirit of prophecy of her marvelous beginnings.

The Church suffered many persecutions, even from fellow Christians. Such were the persecutions by the Emperors of Constantinople who persecuted her and appointed patriarchs

with the power and authority to continually oppress even the monks in their monasteries and deserts, pressuring them to accept the Tome of Leo.

We are indeed thankful to God who allowed our Egypt, blessed by Isaiah the prophet, to endure these long-lasting periods of extremely bitter persecution. And yet, they have afforded us opportunities to praise the Crucified One, together with the Apostle Paul, saying, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20).

A friend once showed me a letter that someone had sent to several influential companies and personalities in America. In it, he asked for their aid to further his missionary work in Egypt, thinking that he would present Christ to the Copts, who, although they produce martyrs, are a dead Church, ignorant of Christ (in his opinion)! We need not defend our Church. For the Day of the Lord is at hand and many simple martyrs, shepherds, and pure theologians will be revealed as a heavenly bride, sitting at the right hand of the King of Kings!

The trials that have befallen the Church through the ages have contributed to revealing her living faith, her Orthodox teachings, and the work of the Holy Trinity within her. The Church did not deviate to pursue worldly glories or transient politics, but rather fixed her eyes on the second coming of the Lord on the clouds.